A rescue dog has lost an eye after a fight with a porcupine left it with 1,500 quills in its face.

Brutus, a two-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier from Alberta, Canada, was abandoned last month in the province.

After being left to fend for itself, a search for food ended with Brutus discovering a porcupine den.

After trying to eat one of the rodents, Brutus came out on the wrong end of a scrap which left it with quills all over its face, including in the snout, mouth and eyes.

Ashley Bard, 40, president of the animal rescue organisation Paws Up Program (PUP), was alerted by a member of the public who found Brutus.

The dog was taken to an emergency 24-hour vet who removed more than 1,500 quills from Brutus’s face, including seven which were firmly planted in its left eye.

Contrary to popular belief, porcupines cannot throw or shoot their quills. However, because they are so lightly attached, the spikes can come off easily when under attack from a predator.

PUP is now caring for Brutus alongside another canine victim of a porcupine, who had quills inserted under its nose.